Mounting apparatus using ball and socket joints with gripping features

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/006,434 to Bevirt filed Jan. 14, 2011, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,234 to Bevirt filed May 9, 2007,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,615, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/324,994 to Bevirt filed Jan. 3, 2006.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to connectors which interconnect into aflexible assembly, and more specifically to a mounting apparatus usingball and socket joint connectors.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Typical tripod assemblies consist of three rigid legs which are splayedout to form a support structure for devices such as cameras. The legsare usually rigid and adapted to provide support off of the ground orother flat surface. Some tripods have some adjustment to leg lengthwhich may allow for some deviation from flatness in the surface uponwhich they are mounted.

Such tripods are limited in the manner in which they support devicessuch as cameras. What is called for is a mounting apparatus that mayfunction as a tripod and also as a grip mount for the mounting tovertical members.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed towards ball and socket jointconnectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. Eachconnector includes a body with a first and second end portion. Anexternal socket engaging surface is provided at one end of the body. Theother end of the body has an internal cavity. The socket engagingsurface of one connector is snapped into the internal cavity of anotherto interconnect the connectors.

In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize anover-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate intheir use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing theaforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a mounting apparatususes legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a plurality of connected connectorsaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a plurality of connected connectorsaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of connected connectorsaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a connector according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is illustrates a connector with a gripping portion according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 6A are a side and cross-sectional view of a connector with agripping portion according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a body and interconnect portion of a tripodapparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a body and interconnect portion of atripod apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a tripod apparatus according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side and cross-sectional view of a body and interconnectportion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a side and cross-sectional view of a body and interconnectportion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a side and cross-sectional view of a body and interconnectportion of a tripod apparatus according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a plurality of ball and socket jointconnectors 101 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Aconnector 101 has a first end portion 102 and a second end portion 103.A socket engaging end surface 104 is present at the first end 102. Thefirst end portion 102 is substantially hollowed out.

The second end portion 103 has a body 106 with an internal socketreceiving cavity 107. The inner surface 110 of the an internal socketreceiving cavity 107 is adapted to fit over the socket engaging endsurface 104 of another connector 101, or of another piece with a similarsocket engaging end surface. A neckdown 105 separates the first endportion 102 from the second end portion 103. A stop nub 108 acts as amechanical stop to prevent over angulation and possible unintentionalseparation of a ball and socket joint connector pair.

As seen in FIG. 4, the connector 101 has a primary axis 111 in someembodiments. The connector 101 may be symmetric around the primary axis111 in some embodiments. The end surface planes of the first and secondend portions of the connector may be perpendicular to the primary axis111 in some embodiments.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the wall thicknesses ofthe internal socket receiving cavity or the socket engaging end surface,or both, are constructed so that an interference fit remains after theball and socket joint connectors are connected. In some embodiments, theinterference fit is designed such that the material is stressed to astress level below that of the plastic limit but above the creep limit.The material may then creep until the interference is at or below thecreep limit, typically down to the upper end of the elastic deformationstress range of the material. In such an embodiment using a plurality ofconnectors connected together to form a longer chain, the stresses willtend to equalize in the different connector pairs. This equalization ofstresses will tend to equalize the frictions of the various connectorpairs. An equalization of the frictions in the connector pairs in a longchain of connected connectors will tend to allow the chain of connectorsto bend in a smooth fashion when the chain is subjected to bendingforces. For example, in a 10 unit chain bent to a 45 degree angle, thebending may be well spread among the connector pairs.

In some embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 6A, a connector 120includes a gripping portion 122. The connector 120 has a first endportion 125 and a second end portion 123. A socket engaging end surface124 is present at the first end 125. The first end portion 125 issubstantially hollowed out.

The second end 123 has a body 121 with an internal socket receivingcavity 130. The inner surface 129 of the an internal socket receivingcavity 130 is adapted to fit over the socket engaging end surface 124 ofanother connector, or of another piece with a similar socket engagingend surface. A neckdown 128 separates the first end portion 125 from thesecond end portion 123. A gripping portion 122 allows the connector togrip surfaces more readily. In some embodiments, the gripping portion isco-molded into the connector body. In some embodiments, the grippingportion is a rubberized compound. In some embodiments, the grippingportion is a circumferential ring molded into the outer surface of theconnector. The gripping portion may provide a higher friction interfacewhen the connector is set upon or wrapped around an object.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface 109 ofthe socket engaging end surface 104 may be lubricated. Lubrication ofthe outer surface 109 of the socket engaging end surface 104 may allowfor more even frictions between various connections in a chain ofconnectors. In some embodiments, the inner surface 110 of the internalsocket receiving cavity 107 may be lubricated. Lubrication of the innersurface 110 of the internal socket receiving cavity 107 may allow formore even frictions. In some embodiments, both the outer surface 109 ofthe socket engaging end surface 104 and the inner surface 110 of the aninternal socket receiving cavity 107 may be lubricated. In someembodiments, the surfaces may be coated with an adhesive. With someconnector materials, such as acetyl materials, Delrin, and Nylon,compounds normally used as adhesive may function as a lubricant whenused in an interference fit ball and socket joint connector.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface 109 ofthe socket engaging end surface 104 may be textured. The texture maytake the form of a surface roughness. Texturing of the outer surface 109of the socket engaging end surface 104 may allow for more even frictionsbetween various connections in a chain of connectors. In someembodiments, the inner surface 110 of the internal socket receivingcavity 107 may be textured. The texture may take the form of a surfaceroughness. Texturing of the inner surface 110 of the internal socketreceiving cavity 107 may allow for more even frictions. In someembodiments, both the outer surface 109 of the socket engaging endsurface 104 and the inner surface 110 of the an internal socketreceiving cavity 107 may be lubricated.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plurality of ball andsocket joint connectors. In some embodiments of the present invention, astop nub 108 resides within the internal socket receiving cavity. Theinner rim 140 of the socket engaging end surface 104 is adapted tocontact the stop nub 108 as the two connectors reach a certain anglerelative to each other. The contact of the stop nub 108 and the innerrim 140 of the socket engaging end surface 104 acts as a mechanical stopwith regard to further angulation of the two pieces relative to eachother. The mechanical stop function works to prevent over-rotation andpossible disconnection of the two connectors.

FIG. 7 illustrates a tripod apparatus 200 according to some embodimentsof the present invention. A body portion 201 provides a base of supportfor three flexible legs 202, 203, 204. The flexible legs 202, 203, 204consist of a series of interconnected ball and socket joint connectors.The flexible legs are able to be flexed into a variety of positions andcan be used to support the body portion 201 by forming tripod support.The flexible legs are able to adapt to uneven surfaces to allow thetripod to function in a variety of situations. Although three legs areused here for illustration, more legs may be present in someembodiments. As seen in FIG. 7, the body portion 201 itself may have aseries of interconnected ball and socket joint connectors within it,allowing for even more flexibility with regard to its mounting function.

Although the flexible legs are illustrated as functioning legs in FIG.7, the legs are of sufficient flexibility that the may be used to wraparound items such as bars or other objects in order to fasten the tripodapparatus to objects that would not be suitable for mounting of atypical tripod. In conjunction with the gripping portion, this allowsthe tripod apparatus to be fastened to a variety of objects. Forexample, when used to position a digital camera, the legs may wraparound a vertical gate rail, allowing the mounting of the camera for aphoto taking opportunity not previously available.

In some embodiments, the body portion 201 is connected to aninterconnect portion 205. A clip 220 is removably fastened to theinterconnect portion 205. The clip 220 may have a threaded post adaptedto fit into a camera or other device in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the flexible legs 202, 203, 204 may use connectorsthat have a co-molded gripping portion 208. The gripping portions 208may allow for use of the tripod in a variety of ways, including wrappingof the legs around a post or other object. In some embodiments, theflexible legs may be terminated with a gripping pod 207. As seen incross-section in FIG. 3, the gripping pod 207 may be fully molded intothe cavity of the connector. In some embodiments, the terminal connectorof each leg has a socket engaging end surface on its first end and asuction cup on its second end. The suctions cups may allow for a secureattachment of the tripod apparatus 200 to a variety of surfaces.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as further illustrated inFIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the interconnect portion 205 is adapted to receive aclip 220. The clip 220 may have rails 228 adapted to slide into slots227 within the interconnect portion 205. The clip 220 may have recess226 adapted to be filled by a tab 225 on a spring loaded lever 222. Theclip is removably attached to the interconnect portion 205 and may bereleased by pressing on the lever 222. In some embodiments, the lever222 is on the same side of the interconnect portion 205 as which theclip 220 slides in on. In other embodiments, the lever 222 is on theside opposite that which the clip 220 slides in on.

A mounting screw 221 may be recess mounted into the clip 220 in someembodiments. The screw 223 may be of the standard size and thread toattach to a camera in some embodiments. The head 223 of the screw 221may be held into the recess 224 by a slight ridge in the molding of therecess in some embodiments.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as seen in FIGS. 10, 11,12, and 13, a tripod apparatus 500 utilizes a body portion 501 whichspaces and locates the legs of the apparatus in a differentconfiguration. The spacing of the body sockets 502 allows for better useof the tripod legs as attaching arms in some uses. In some embodiments,the body sockets 502 are equally spaced around the center of the bodyportion 501. The body sockets are also flared at an angle relative tothe ground (in typical usage). In some embodiments, the flared angle is45 degrees. The flaring of the body sockets allows a different range ofpotential wrapping angles for the legs of the tripod.

With the flaring of the body sockets, the tripod legs may still beutilized as in the case of a typical tripod. The range of motion of thebody sockets and the connectors which form the legs still allow forvertical positioning of the legs. Thus, the body portion 501 retains thetripod's usual functionality. The flaring, however, allows for greaterbending of the legs in cases where the legs are used as gripping arms,such as when wrapped around vertical bars and the like. Thus the bodyportion 501 adds to the range of positions and to the types of uses thatthe apparatus may entertain.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tripod suitable for supporting a camera, thetripod comprising: three flexible legs, each of said flexible legshaving sufficient flexibility to substantially wrap around an object,each of said legs having a first end attached to the body of the tripod;and a body having a central axis and three sockets and having a firstseries of interconnected ball and socket connectors, each of said threesockets having an associated opening and being arranged to pivotallyreceive an associated leg, wherein the socket openings are flaredrelative to the central axis such that they do not face in the samedirection, to thereby facilitate a greater range of motion in theirassociated legs in a direction away from the central axis than would bepossible if the openings all faced in the same direction.
 2. A tripod asrecited in claim 1, wherein each of said three flexible legs is composedof a multiplicity of connector pieces that join together in ball andsocket joints that permit pivotable movement between connecting ball andsocket components to together provide each leg with sufficientflexibility to substantially wrap around an object, and wherein each ofsaid legs has a ball feature on said first end interconnected with anassociated socket of said body of said tripod.
 3. A tripod as recited inclaim 2, wherein each ball and socket joint in the legs has a socketmember portion having a maximum diameter, and a socket opening thatreceives an associated ball member, each ball and socket joint furthercomprising a gripping member formed on an exterior surface of theassociated socket member portion, the gripping member being formed froma different material than the associated socket member portion andhaving a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of theassociated socket member portion.
 4. A tripod suitable for supporting acamera, the tripod comprising: three flexible legs that have sufficientflexibility to substantially wrap around an object, wherein each of saidthree flexible legs is composed of a multiplicity of connector piecesthat join together in ball and socket joints that permit pivotablemovement between connecting ball and socket components to togetherprovide each leg with sufficient flexibility to substantially wraparound an object, and wherein each ball and socket joint in the legs hasa socket member portion having a maximum diameter, and a socket openingthat receives an associated ball member, each ball and socket jointfurther comprising a gripping member formed on an exterior surface ofthe associated socket member portion, the gripping member being formedfrom a different material than the associated socket member portion andhaving a maximum diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of theassociated socket member portion; and a body having three ports andhaving a first series of interconnected ball and socket connectors, eachport being arranged to receive an associated leg.